Sunday, May 10th, was not only Mother’s Day, but also the kick-off of National Women’s Health Week, which lasts until May 16th. The US Department of Health and Human Services’ Office on Women’s Health coordinates the event. The purpose is to remind women that their health should be a priority issue. Oftentimes as “caretakers” women ignore their own health while assisting others. Today, May 11th, is National Women’s Check-Up Day in the USA. While going to a physician or dentist is never what I would refer to as fun, it is imperative that as active women we maintain regular appointments with a health care provider. It can also save your life if there are problems you cannot detect on your own. Continue Reading »

In an earlier post, I stated how important it is for individuals to be involved in charitable organizations and community projects. During the month of January 2009, the American Biographical Institute, including myself and my colleagues, decided to collect items to donate to the North Carolina Food Bank. For fun, we had several “theme” weeks including baby items, and a recipe week when we bought items for casseroles and shared the recipes among ourselves. The goal was to collect as many items as possible for the Food Bank, culminating on January 30th with a volunteer day at a local branch. Before we got there, we had no idea what we would be doing to help out. We were first instructed to sort medical contributions, watching the expiry dates and looking for broken seals. Next we were shown huge boxes of canned items on pallets. Again we checked seals and were told to be creative in packing boxes with a variety of items for making meals. It was a challenge among us to bend and pack, some of us not having exercised much recently! We finished our challenge with emptying the huge boxes, breaking them down, discarding the pallets, and even sweeping the debris away. The joy we felt as a group helping others was uplifting. To know that we had donated much-needed items and were giving our time to help the underprivileged and jobless was thrilling. I encourage all individuals and corporations to dedicate not only money to charity, but time as well. It will help those in need and will give back to the volunteer a sense of community involvement that is priceless. It also creates valuable team building for a better business organization. Here we are…

This time of year I get many greeting cards from my friends and colleagues around the world. Yesterday I opened one from a colleague here in the United States. The card was beautiful but it was what she wrote that touched me. She said, “Thank you, Janet, for providing us with the opportunity to serve a global community.”

I hope to be more charitable during the coming year. And it starts with the obvious - giving and volunteering. It can also mean saying a kind word to someone who needs a boost. A kind word, a hug, or an ear to listen are very precious gifts to give. This season and everyday do a kind deed and take the time to listen to your family, friends and colleagues. You might be surprised at what you learn, and you will be offering them a special part of you.

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It is with great pleasure that I welcome you to the Womenthatnetwork.com blog. I believe you will find this destination a valuable learning and sharing tool. It is my hope that the authors and contributors I have personally invited to join me on this blog, are able to share information, tips, resources and successes that inspire your own path of professional development.

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